Now knowing which side of this argument I am on, when this moron showed up at our church’s monthly church Men’s Breakfast and started trying to “tell us the truth” and “convert” us,… well like Popeye “That’s all I can stands, `cause I can’t stands n’more!!!”

Oh I tried to ignore him. God knows I did, because we were in the church basement. But in addition to his bilious rhetoric, this breakfast is a time for fellowship, bad jokes, and man talk without all the drinking and obscenity. He was ruining it, and I was less than pleased.

Several people present thought they had seen me angry before. Now they really have. Even now I’m starting to shake writing this. I don’t remember many of the specifics. I know I gathered up the sheets of Old Testament verses he put on the table and turned them face down, which made him angry. I know I quoted the New Testament to him, probably at a decibel level not heard for some time. In some ways I feel responsible fore the spate of recent earthquakes. I ordered him to leave– he said he didn’t have to.

I left the room before I laid hands, my cane, a chair and possibly a table or two upon him.

When I came back, he was gone- escorted out by the rector. The next day I heard he was in the street during the 8 AM service, howling trying to disrupt things. Just as well I missed church that day. I have no idea what I might have done, but I feel it would not have been pleasant.

Here in the enlightened (?) state of Kansas, they have passed one law of which I absolutely approve. As of January 1, it is illegal to write, send, or read a text message while operating a motor vehicle. Here in Manhattan, they’ve taken it a step further. It is illegal to use a cell phone- period– while driving. So why do I still see so many rolling phone booths? What call can be SO important that you find the need to place yourself and others at risk? I can only think of One Person from whom such a call would be so absolutely necessary, and He doesn’t need to use a cell phone. Although talking on one while driving may make such a conversation more likely!!

Also here in Manhattan, Riley County EMS has a relatively new ambulance. It has more lights on it than the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It makes enough noise for four fire trucks, three ambulances, two police cars and the combined bands of the United States Military. It’s easily half again the size of the older ambulances. SO WHY DO PEOPLE STILL NOT GET OUT OF ITS WAY??!!? They can’t see it? They can’t hear it? If they’re that visually and auricularly disadvantaged, they have no business driving.

This does NOT include bicycles!! Bicycles, I learned in U.S. Army Military Police Traffic Accident Investigation School, are “traffic units.” Therefore, bicycles, mopeds or motored scooters have no business in pedestrian crosswalks!! They are NOT protected by the magic shield that keeps REAL pedestrians safe within that bubble. I will accept skates (in-line & others), skateboards, non-powered scooters, wheelchairs and any animal that can be led on a leash (not reins or a halter.) Conversely, pedestrian crosswalks are there for the safety of those who by choice or otherwise are afoot. Being within 50 feet of a crosswalk does not count. Walk yourself down to the designated safety zone!! Pedestrians outside of such areas have another name—“targets!”

I started off to write about snow days, but decided it had all been said. No school, sledding, hot chocolate, shoveling, moronic drivers, walk-to-school-uphill-both-ways-chased-by-hungry wolves, pesky kids, blah blah blah, so I stopped.

Then I thought I’d write something further about the Arizona shootings and the “vitriolic rhetoric” backlash, but then I realized I’d just be adding to it. Besides, I despise writing about politics or anything vaguely political.
I could write about how much I used to like winter and snow and cold only to trail off into a whining complaint about my back/fingers/knees/hands, but I still LIKE winter and snow. Maybe I don’t get out and sled or build snowmen like I used to, but I do still prefer winter weather. Besides, I don’t want to sound any more like a grumpy old fart than I already do, as well.
I have a couple of partially finished quasi-philosophical postings, but I want to work on them more. Their subject matter deserves better than this kind of wrangling rambling rant I’ve been writing recently. I could do a post about not writing something, but how unutterably sad would that be to sit and electronically scribble about my own lack of imagination and inspiration??

Well crap. A U.S. Representative who wants to meet with real, non-special interest people and she gets shot for her efforts, along with several others. So many “Representatives” never leave The Beltway until elections, and when one does, this happens. I don’t know if I agreed with her on all topics or not, but she was making the effort to stay in touch with her constituency, and that, in my book makes her special.

I know, the shooter was “mentally unstable”– who isn’t?? I’m not the poster child for rational thought, nor am I noted for being the most tolerant of people to those I perceive as being “wrong” (i.e., disagreeing with me.) This is why I usually do not discuss politics– with anyone. It’s the only way Mary and I have stayed together for so long. Those who have seen me in action at work or elsewhere know exactly what I mean.

However, I have never resorted to violence on any level. It’s simply not worth it. What, precisely, does it accomplish? I’ve heard many people say someone ought to shoot “Reverend” Fred Phelps because they think he is an infected hair follicle on the face of humanity. Will people stop hating because one man is dead? Extremist abortion opponents kill the doctors and blow up clinics to save unborn babies. Oh, yeah, I see the logic there. Kinda like the “peace activists” of the 1960’s who set off bombs to oppose the war. Say what?

Well, dog-gone the doggone if I didn’t miss a day!! Nobody probably noticed, anyway, except me. I mean, realistically who can I expect to read these brain farts?? The best day I’ve had so far this week I had eight views. Wow!! Many more days like that and I can start selling ads!!

Oh well, maybe if I post two today I’ll get back on track. Right now I’m listening to the north wind whistle around the window over which I need to put plastic. Heck, it beats a lot of the “music” they throw at us these days!! Maybe I should properly re-connect my computer’s speakers so I can listen to Flogging Molly? Or I could look for that missing gift card from Barnes & Noble. Or,… HEY!!! What’s that shiny thing over there????

A philosophical question, to be certain. Usually phrased as “angels” and “the head of a pin.” However, it’s my blog, and if I’m gonna make it idiots, I don’t want to make it too easy for them. The more that fall off, the better.

Now we come to the definition of “idiot.” Everyone has their own personal definition, but I think they all boil down to any person who is having trouble seeing things as logically and sensibly as you are at any given time.

For example, the driving idiot who doesn’t understand that you got perfect marks in Driver’s Ed, so of course you know the correct way to drive, and they obviously do not. Or the political idiot, who is so obviously wrong they must realize it, but they refuse to agree with you out of pig-headedness. How about the religious idiot, arrogantly trying to convince you of the error of YOUR ways!!

I think I’m finally near a point here, so I’d better make it. We are all idiots at one time or another. It’s been impossible to avoid since the gates of Eden closed behind us.

I warned you this would occasionally be the stream of consciousness ramblings of a curmudgeon.